Neos Therapeutics- a Grand Prairie-based biotech startup known for its fruit-flavored drug akin to Adderall, has reported a loss of $18.4 million in the fourth quarter.

The pharmaceutical company posted a total net product revenue of $3.5 million in the period, compared to $1.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2015. Neos also reported that its loss had widened to $83.3 million for the year, which leadership attributed to marketing costs.

The company gained recognition in 2016 when the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Adzenys XR-ODT, the first extended-release orally disintegrating tablet to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

The pill's sweet, candy-like coating makes it more palatable to patients who suffer from the condition, marked by inattention and impulsive behavior.

President and chief executive officer, Dr. Vipin Garg, told investors early Tuesday that sales of the medication have been successful since the official launch in May 2016. Sales in fourth quarter of 2016 reached $2.2 million.

By the end of the year, a cumulative 30,339 prescriptions had been filled by patients, from 4,038 clinicians. Sixty-three percent of the prescriptions were for children and 37 percent for adults. New prescribers increased at a rate of about 20 percent each month, and about 75 percent switched from other ADHD drugs, like Adderall and Concerta Garg said.

The rates were attributed to a 125-person sales force that engages physicians who are high-volume prescribers of ADHD drugs. However, the company also spent $49.3 million on marketing in 2016, compared to $5.7 million the year prior.

Neos is also seeking FDA approval for two additional amphetamines medications, that it hopes to launch before the end of the year.

The company went public in July 2014 and company stock reached over $27 a share in August 2015. The price has since dipped 30 percent in the last 12 months, trading at about $7 a share mid-day Tuesday.

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However, pharmaceutical company stocks have taken a hit in recent months, at President Donald Trump continues to Tweet about his vow to lower U.S. drug costs and the industry awaits details of the plan.